Wawrinka, who won the Chennai Open last week, said a number of factors gave him hope he could better his 2013 performance, where he lost a five-set classic in the fourth round to eventual champion Novak Djokovic.

"Coming after a great year, being for the first time in the top 10 and starting the year with a title, for sure that gives me confidence."

Wawrinka - who is again in Djokovic's quarter of the draw - will face either Colombian Alejandro Falla or another Kazakh, Mikhail Kukuschkin, in the second round.

Czech seventh seed Tomas Berdych made light work of Ukrainian Aleksandr Nedovyesov, winning 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 in under two hours.

Berdych caught attention with a bright blue and white striped shirt sure to upset traditionalists but his tennis could not be faulted, unbroken over 14 service games and hitting 38 winners for the match.